Short Rows are Great!

For some reason, beginner/intermediate knitters are scared of short rows. All that wrapping and turning, it just makes them nervous. Are you one of those people? With this post (and my article in Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories) I hope to change your mind!

There are so, so many awesome projects that utilize short rows. If you don't believe me, scroll through the Ravelry search here for short row patterns! I mean really, how cool are all those shapes and curves and color blocks and stripes.

Here are two of mine:

Short row tutorial posts are plentiful on these here Internets, so I'm linking to a good one to get you familiar with the mechanics.

Once you've got the basics down (and really, it's not that hard!), it's time to get creative. In my article, I demonstrate how to turn a 4-sided geometric shape into a knitted piece.

A shape to knit

Maths! 

Victory!

These shapes can then be linked together to form a scarf, a blanket, a shawl, pillowcase, sweater, poncho, stuffed animal... the possibilities are endless. Short rows open up a new world of multi-dimensional knitting and designing. You are no longer limited to a rectangle!

If you haven't tried knitting short rows before, I hope you'll give them a try. Go forth and create!

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The Holla Knits blog tour continues...

May 18: Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories Issue LaunchMay 19: The Sweatshop of Love / Knitted Bliss – kit giveaway, issue giveaway
May 20: Ruby Submarine – fringe tutorial
May 21: Handmade by Stefanie – pattern and yarn giveaway

May 26: Doog Knits – kit giveaway
May 28: Canary Knits – issue giveaway
May 29: Laura Reinbach – pattern giveaway

June 1: Gynx Yarns Podcast – pattern and yarn giveaway
June 2: Ruby Submarine – issue giveaway
June 4: Rock and Purl – giveaway

June 8: Handmade by Stefanie – Take 5
June 9: Hands Occupied – issue giveaway

Fringe Madness!

This week, my pattern Taken by the Wind was released in Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories, and I rejoiced that my fringey-shawl-baby was in the world. I've been thinking a lot about yarn fringe since I designed this thing, so a post about fringe seemed appropriate for this stop on the Holla Knits Blog Tour!

Remember that time I went pom pom crazy? This was much less strange.

Here we go! Here are some ways to make fringe and tassles that I found on Pinterest. Did I succeed? Did I fail spectacularly? Let's find out!


1. Your basic pull-through yarn fringe
Technique here.

This is essentially the technique I used for my fringed shawl, although they show multiple strands being pulled through each spot, and I only did a single strand in each spot (and the spots are very close together). This gives a nice, even layer of fringe without too much weight or too many gaps.

Ok, looking good! This is the simplest, most straightforward way of applying yarn fringe to something knitted or crocheted. Time to take things to another level...

2. Fancy knotted fringe
Technique here.

This one takes the strands a step further-- we're going to knot the fringe in a way that hopefully looks nice and finished and not like something that got caught in a vacuum cleaner.

Eep I'm tying knots in my precious shawl!

I really like how this turned out! I just worked the knots over the center point of the shawl for the photos. While I am not going to tie the entire shawl (at least today), I really like this technique! It's simple, looks fancy, and is a fun way to kick the fringe up a notch.

4. Fringe-as-you-Garter Stitch
Technique here

It needs a trim when finished, but you get the idea.

This is my favorite technique for fringe when you're just plain knitting-- making a length-wise scarf and leaving some yarn on each end of each row to create fringe. I knot the yarn as I go (the technique mentions just pulling it tight) to make sure things are secure.

Best thing ever for scrap knitting!
--

My fringe exploration is far from over, but that will have to do for now. I really want to try the knotted fringe again, and would recommend it to those playing along at home. It was surprisingly fun and pretty quick.

More Holla Knits blog tour to come! Check out the schedule below for posts and prizes!

May 18: Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories Issue Launch

May 19: The Sweatshop of Love / Knitted Bliss - pattern giveaway, issue giveaway

May 20: Ruby Submarine - fringe tutorial

May 21: Handmade by Stefanie - pattern and yarn giveaway

May 26: Doog Knits - kit giveaway

May 28: Canary Knits - issue giveaway

May 29: Laura Reinbach - pattern giveaway

June 1: Gynx Yarns Podcast - pattern and yarn giveaway

June 2: Ruby Submarine - issue giveaway

June 4: Rock and Purl - giveaway

June 8: Handmade by Stefanie - Take 5

June 9: Hands Occupied - issue giveaway

Taken by the Wind -- New Fringe Shawl pattern!

It's finally here! I have been so excited to share this one with you. My new shawl pattern is inspired by springtime magic and... Stevie Nicks!

Taken by the Wind is a lightweight shawl knit in a loose gauge (for the body) with a lovely lace border and miles of loooong fringe. The fringe part is optional, but really, why wouldn't you want to fringe the heck out of it?

(By the way, don't miss my upcoming post on fringe techniques on Wednesday, part of the Holla Knits Blog Tour!)

No fringe... still adorable!

Feelin' like a superhero

A little short-row shaping, a little lace, a lot of fringe... this one is a lot of fun! Perfect for throwing around your shoulders on a blustery spring day or chilly evening. Witchy magic for any time, any place.

About to jump on my broomstick in 3... 2... 1...

I hope you enjoy this flight of fancy!

The pattern can be found here, click the pic and then scroll down to purchase for $4: